Community Development

The Community Development Department is dedicated to promoting safety, sustainability, and connectivity for people who live, work, and visit the City of Arroyo Grande. We recognize the critical importance of working objectively with individuals, community groups, and the business community in developing a diverse, economically stable city while maintaining the city’s unique environment and heritage for the future. Staff is committed to providing quality services that are responsive, innovative, fiscally sound and helpful to the community.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: COVID-19 RESPONSE

We remain committed to providing continuing services to our community and working to safeguard our residents and businesses from the effects of this crisis to the best of our abilities. However, delays in response times may be experienced as staffing resources are affected by the COVID-19 crisis and are directed to essential services. Please note that procedures are subject to change as this crisis evolves. Check back frequently for updates.

Beginning Tuesday, May 11, 2021, City Hall will reopen to the public and will be open every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Community Development Department staff can be reached by phone or email on days City Hall is not open to the public.

At this time, the Community Development Department is implementing the following procedures:

The Community Development Department is accepting all forms of planning, building, and engineering applications that are submitted electronically, with one exception described below.* Applications for discretionary permits are also being accepted at this time. Please submit applications using the Citizenserve portal available here. If you need assistance with the portal or submittal process, please contact Shayna Gropen at sgropen@arroyogrande.org or (805) 473-5453.

* Permits will not be issued for internal remodels of existing residences that cannot be inspected safely, as determined by the Community Development Department. 

Planning Commission and advisory body meetings will be conducted using teleconferencing technology.

Questions may be directed as follows:

Building Inspections Contact:

Please call (805) 473-5454 for building inspections.

Engineering Inspections Contact: 

Chuck McConnon cmcconnon@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5446

Building Permits Contact:

Ashley Avery aavery@interwestgrp.com (805) 473-5453

Planning Applications Contact: 

Andrew Perez aperez@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5425

Engineering Permits and Applications Contact: 

Shayna Gropen sgropen@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5445

Stormwater Contact: 

John Benedetti jbenedetti@arroyogrande.org (805) 473-5445

Code Enforcement Contact: 

Mark Meyers mmeyers@interwestgrp.com (805) 473-5456

Planning & Implementation

Planning and implementation of city goals, policies and regulations will ensure that the quality of life is enhanced for the community of Arroyo Grande. The Community Development Department includes three groups: Planning, Building, and Engineering. The department also includes the functions of economic development to promote prosperity, and neighborhood services for the prevention of fire, health, building, and development code violations.

Responsibilities

Staff is responsible for the design, development, and construction of city facilities such as streets and sidewalks, drainage, water and sewer distribution systems. Staff plans comprehensively for the long term needs of the community including plans for:

  • An adequate supply of housing, water, and community facilities
  • Public safety
  • Open space
  • Transportation
  • Stewardship of the environment

The department also:

  • Reviews plans
  • Conducts environmental reviews
  • Issues permits for home occupations, signs, grading, right-of-way encroachment, building, and development entitlements

Advisory Bodies

Community Development provides staff assistance for the:

Please be advised that communications directed to the City, its legislative bodies and their members (i.e., City Council, Planning Commission) or City staff are public records, and are subject to disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act and Brown Act unless exempt from disclosure under the applicable law.